ASHTON UNITED...3

RADCLIFFE BORO...3

IF familiarity breeds contempt then unfamiliarity must foster hope, because Radcliffe halted a four-game league losing streak to steady the good ship Boro in this Christmas cracker of a game.

With Kevin Glendon's fabulous five in the travelling party - Steve Foster in just his third start, Mitten his second, along with debutantes Robbie Whellans and Neil Whitworth and Jason Astley named as substitute in his first league game for almost three years - Boro always looked capable of grabbing at least a point from this mid-table scrap at Surrey Street.

As early as the second minute Whellans combined neatly with Mitten, the former setting up the latter only for Mitten to shoot straight at United keeper Daniel Trueman.

Mitten could eventually prove to be an inspired signing as his height, close control and robust approach make him the ideal target man and give Boro a new attacking option with manager Kevin Glendon (watching from the terraces due to a two game touchline ban) varying things with a more direct style of play.

To prove the point it took Mitten just 12 minutes to open the scoring, latching on to a Simon Carden through-ball before calmly lifting it over Trueman. United fullback Andy Thackeray tried to prevent it crossing the line but the linesman was on hand to confirm it had.

United's pressure did pay off in the 23rd minute, however, when Jamie Miller met an in-swinging corner to head home the equaliser.

Then, on the half-hour Craig Fleury swung in a dangerous right wing cross and the un-marked Martin Allison beat Hurst to make it 2-1 to the Robins.

The United defence managed to thwart a Simon Carden effort but were unable to prevent Steve Foster latching on to a through ball and letting his pace and shot beat the advancing Trueman to equalise for Boro.

Mitten was a constant thorn in the side of the United defence and Trueman was called upon again to save the Boro striker's well hit 25-yard drive. Minutes later Whellans and Carden combined well, with the Trueman turning Whellans' shot around a post.

It was no surprise when Boro grabbed the lead again, two minutes before the break, although the United defence played the biggest part.

Thackeray, under pressure from Whellans, hit a back-pass to Trueman, but the United keeper allowed the ball to roll under his foot and it trickled over the line and into the net for an own-goal to give Boro a 3-2 lead .

Ashton created chances of their own but James Price showed controlled defending and Davey Luker, skippering Boro for the first time, made several crucial interceptions.

After the break Ashton gradually began to push forward, with Johnson blazing over from the edge of the area and Denney shooting wide.

Boro's chances tended to come from breakaways, with Foster in particular threatening to turn half-chances into goals with his pace, dragging one particular effort just wide when clear.

At the other end debutante central defender Neil Whitworth demonstrated his experience with some timely interceptions.

But their pressure did finally force an equaliser in the 82nd minute when Johnson's speculative shot was deflected past Hurst. It galvanised both teams into going for the winner and both almost accomplished it in injury time

Trueman made a point-blank save from Whellans' close range header, while Price headed off the line with Hurst beaten.

RADCLIFFE: Hurst, Battersby, Spencer, Whitworth, Kelly, Luker, Whellans, Carden, Mitten, Foster, Price. Subs (not used): Astley, Whealing and Margison